Genus: Pareques, Croakers, Drum Croaker, Drums, Highhats
oblong
D: front spines high, but < head, 38-44
mouth small, horizontal, under snout
preopercle weakly serrated
A: II (2nd slender), 7-8
PAREQUES
DRUMS, CROAKERS, HIGHHATS
Body oblong, deep; snout overhangs horizontal mouth; top jaw notched, encloses lower; chin with 5 pores, no barbels; preopercle weakly serrated; top corner of gill opening notched; dorsal fin with long base, deep notch between spiny and soft parts, spiny part high but < head length, 38-44 rays; anal fin with short base, II, 2nd spine slender, 7-8; scales rough on body, smooth on head; soft dorsal and anal fins with thick sheaths of scales; the lateral line extends to the center of the end of the tail fin.
A tropical to warm temperate genus endemic to the eastern Pacific, with 8 species, 2 W Atlantic species in the Greater Caribbean.4
